Porter - St. George Brewing Company, The

sdsimkins

Virginia

3.71/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A - Dark body but almost clear dark brown when held up to a light, thin consistent beige head, light lacing

S - Immediate hints of coffee, chocolate, nutty

T - Quick hit with slight sweetness, roles into roasted malts, nuts, masks the alcohol well

M - Lightly carbonated, just enough to compliment the flavors but not enough to drawn attention

O - Overall a great example of a porter. Will most definitely get a few more after Summer

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 00:39:45 | More by sdsimkins

CJfromPhilly

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours from the 12 oz. bottle a very dark, cola-ish reddish brown with a large rocky beige head. Too dark to tell what kind of bubble action is occurring in the darkness. Aroma is of roasted, smoky malt. 1st sip brings to mind dark unsweetened chocolate and black coffee. Mouthfeel is on the light side. Overall, a tasty, refreshing Porter that I would not mind having again.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2012 23:12:09 | More by CJfromPhilly

bluejacket74

Ohio

4.23/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle. Served in a pint glass, the beer pours dark brown/black with a half inch tan head that stayed around for a while. There's also a good amount of lacing. The brew smells like roasted malt, bittersweet chocolate, coffee, and some caramel. It tastes like roasted malt, milk and bittersweet chocolate, caramel, cream, and a bit of burnt/charred malt. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's creamy with a moderate amount of carbonation. I think this is a pretty good brew. One of my friends picked up a single bottle of this for me on a recent trip, and if it was available in my area I would certainly buy this beer again.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2012 22:33:03 | More by bluejacket74

MrMegaton09

Virginia

2.93/5  rDev -27.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Serving Type: Tall Pilsner

On first pour this beer has a pale/amber head that for me was abundant. Decent to average lacing. Head dicipated withing a moderate time period.

For aroma, this is a great smelling beer. Floral hops up front with almost a clove note at times(in the slightest form). Definately an ale as the title entails.

For taste, a bit bitter for my taste's on the back end. Up front a nice rich malt soon taken over by a strong hop bitterness. Definately a Fuggle feel to me at least.

Overall, if you like English style ales with a great hop aroma, this is a good choice, however the taste was a little lacking for me. But still not a bad choice.

Out of all of the St George Brews that I have had this is my least favorite, but going up against many of their other choices is a hard contest. I look forward to all the options this brewer has to offer.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2012 05:42:55 | More by MrMegaton09

TechTriumph

Virginia

4/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From notes on 03/01/12:
No freshness date; Poured in a Sam Adams Perfect Pint glass.

A - One inch of light tan creamy head with nice retention; Very dark brown in color with a subtle ruby glow when held to the light; Some lacing left around the glass

S - Nice aroma with notes of floral hops, roasted coffee with cream, chocolate, and brown sugar

T - Decent amount of anise up front that mellows quite a bit as the beer warms; Rounding out the taste are roasty, earthy, charred, chocolate, and caramel flavors; Touch of bitterness in the back end of the taste; Aftertaste is pleasant with a bit of chocolate and roast; Taste becomes even better as the beer warms

M - Just below moderate carbonation that's prickly, but ultimately gives way to a nice, smooth mouthfeel; Just over medium bodied

O - This is just a good all around beer that doesn't disappoint in any category. The aroma has a nice blend of hops with coffee and chocolate malts, and the flavor is just as enjoyable and seems to improve as the beer warms. This porter is my favorite offering from St. George thus far, and is one that I'd definitely grab a six pack of in the future.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 11:49:35 | More by TechTriumph

abrand

Illinois

4/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle from a BIF poured into a pint glass.

This pours a deep brown almost black color with a 1/2 finger tan head that retains well. Smells of cocoa, coffee, and roasted malts. Nice smelling beer. Taste is similar to the smell with much more of the malts coming through. As it warms plenty of bitter chocolate. Mouthfeel is medium bodied. Overall a nice porter.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 02:25:27 | More by abrand

Arithmeticus

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured chilled in flared glass

A: black 'n' tan; little head, but really good carbonation; decent lacing
S: sweet caramel; roasted grains
T: interesting dark roasted grain flavor; horehound; sweet; low hop profile; booze underplayed; mature and not overpowering

Overall, a good porter; esp. nice on a cooler evening.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 02:01:05 | More by Arithmeticus

TappaKeggaBrew

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Very dark brown, the color of black-walnut. Even an aggressive pour only produced 1/2 a finger of head, but it was a nice cappuccino color, and left a nice lacing on the glass.

S: Sweet and toasty malt, with powerful coffee notes. The more I sniff, the more coffee dominates.

T: Sweet, and again with the coffee. Also toasty malt, and some bitter chocolate.

M: Moist, ample crisp carbonation. Goes down very easily.

O: An excellent porter. Although porters aren't my favourite style of beer, I can see myself reaching for another of these in the future.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 03:16:45 | More by TappaKeggaBrew

rudolphjacksonm

Virginia

3.9/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a standard (16 oz.) pint glass on 11/6/11.

A - Nice tan, one-finger head with little carbonation. Very dark brown to almost black with a bit of lacing on the sides of the glass. Not too much carbonation, so there's always a little bit of marbling in the center. 4.0

S - Malts, charcoal, coffee and hazelnut. Somewhat faint but pleasant. 3.5

T - Very smooth and rich. Roasted malt flavor really comes out on the first sip and is very rich. Somewhat bitter at the end, but it's just enough to get you to crave another sip. 4.0

M - Ridiculously smooth. Without much carbonation it glides right over your tongue and coats it with flavor. 4.0

O - St. George Brewing Co. has done a good job with this porter. While I don't drink a lot of Porters, I think this is a fine example of what a Porter should be. 4.0

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2011 04:08:39 | More by rudolphjacksonm

Jayli

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on draft at Buffalo Wild Wings in Harborview 10/9
Served in a pint glass

A: This beer pours an opaque dark brown, just the slightest hint of lighter brown edges when held to the light. A one finger of foamy, light brown head that leaves sheets of lacing on the glass.

S: Nose is roasted and toasted malts, minor caramel notes.

T: Taste starts with a lot of toffee in the forefront. Some caramel also comes through. Bready notes and roasted malts fill the middle. Finish has a touch of milk chocolate to it.

M: Medium body, medium carbonation, crisp and clean body.

O: Goes down easy, relatively tasty, not filling, minor kick, ok representation of style. This isn't a blow your mind porter, but it's worth sitting with for a while.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2011 21:15:01 | More by Jayli

jellis00

Virginia

4.88/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is a good beer. I have been drinking a lot of back-to-back Porters lately, and this one is top 2. It is my first "local" beer I have had since relocating to the Hampton Rds area, I think I am going to have to seek out this brewery.

A: Dark/Tan

S: very full smelling. Hard to explain, but it smells like a Porter (Malts, espresso, a hint of a berry).

T: The taste is excellent. Very filling, not abrasive. Leaves a nice after taste.

M: Very satisfying. Leaves a nice resin of espresso.

Great beer. I highly recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2011 03:07:49 | More by jellis00

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.55/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Big thanks goes out to drabmuh for sending me this one as an extra in a past trade! Served from bottle into a Stone nonic. Poured pitch black with a three finger very light tan head that subsided to a one finger slowly. Maintained phenomenal lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, roasted malt, dark chocolate, and tobacco. The flavor was of sweet malt, dark chocolate, and tobacco. It had a heavy feel on the palate with medium carbonation (an almost creamy texture). Overall this was a pretty nice brew. It was almost spot on for the style it was targeting without a doubt. The flavors on it were very light and refreshing, which might have been its only downfall. I was really hoping for more robust flavors in this one going into it, but it did well with what it had. The mouthfeel on this one was quite excellent though. A definite must try if you get the chance.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2011 16:39:39 | More by thagr81us

YumYumGumGum

Virginia

4.03/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Great looking dark porter, very little head, good looking tan head. almost no lacing. Very low carbonation which was surprisingly pleasant. Black as night, great show of the porter style with low alc 5%.

S - Nice slightly burnt malt smell. A little sulfury, maybe bottle aging will fix that in the next 10 - 12 months.

T - Very good. If you want an easy day-drinking beer that's not and IPA, this is your beer. Not too hearty, and most of the color and consistency seems like an extracts doing.

M - the missing carbonation is great, i've had a few other beer's pull it off. very pleasant experience and only 9$ 6-pack here in DT richmond. Nice Job St. George.

O - Worth every penny, try some, store some.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2011 14:01:31 | More by YumYumGumGum

Suds

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thoroughly black, this beer has a slim tan head. It's aroma is a pleasant mix of dark roast coffee, ripe fruit, and dark bread. There is a fleeting chocolate smell as well. No real hop aroma. The taste is semi-sweet, with a nice balance of hops. Nice malt and grain favor...lots of roasted, coffee-like flavors. The beer has the feeling of a higher abv than it actually is...medium-full in mouthfeel, the body is great. Nice brew.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2011 02:36:29 | More by Suds

mactrail

California

4.2/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Rich, deep flavored, chocolatey brew.

Typical stout color in the 10 oz glass, black with a sunburn around the edges. Nice roast malt nose with grainy flavors. Bare touch of sweetness, but enough to offset the burnt malt. Seems richer and less sharp than many stouts. For a 5.0% beer it's a flavor powerhouse.

Very drinkable, great dark roasted malt, and avoids the sour taste of more austere versions. Enjoyed at Capital Ale House in downtown Fredericksburg, VA.

Serving type: on-tap

06-20-2011 23:13:59 | More by mactrail

starkystark

Alaska

4.4/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at County Grill & Smokehouse in Yorktown, VA.

Appearance: Very dark brown, but not quite black. Neat 2.5 finger khaki head that dissipated rather quickly.

Smell: Best part of this beer for me. I smelled chocolate on dark fruit. Smelled like sticking my nose in a box of raisinettes.

Taste: Melted chocolate & sweet, dark malts on the front of the tongue. Fades into darker chocolate & coffee flavors on the back of the tongue. Light hoppy finish gives this a decent balanced flavor.

Mouthfeel: Very smooth. Could drink a few of these easily. Complimented my bbq ribs very well.

Overall, a very nice porter. It's not one of my favorite styles, but I enjoyed this on. Not quite the most complex porter I've ever had, but it was extremely drinkable. I had two of them with dinner.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2011 03:14:56 | More by starkystark

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a white wine glass (that's all that was available) at The Cheese Shop in Williamsburg.

A: 3.5
S: 3.0
T: 3.5
M: 3.0
D: 3.0

Dark brown, nearly black. Just a touch of light brown head. Average retention and little lacing. Dry, lightly roasty nose. Taste has a good bit graininess as well, with more neutral malt sweetness than I was expecting, but still rather dry overall. Roasty toastiness, but not a ton of flavor overall. Lighter medium body. Good moderate carbonation. Could use more body. Good creaminess for how light it is. Better than some of their other beers, but still no treat.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2011 23:11:09 | More by DavoleBomb

engagechad

Virginia

3.35/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bottle purchased in the Dragon Pack from World Market in Charlottesville, VA - tulip

Pours a deep dark black with a soapy, thin and quick falling head. Smells of licorice and molasses. Tastes vaguely of hop bite with some roasted malt flavors. Mouthfeel is thin and quite un-porter like in my opinion.

Overall it's a decent, quaffable porter however it is not at all what I look for in a porter and I will not buy again.

Hopefully the rest in the pack will be good.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2011 13:59:15 | More by engagechad

damndirtyape

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a shaker pint glass. No dates to be found anywhere on the bottle.

Appearance: Vigorous pour gave a dark black beer (hints of cola brown at the edges when held up to the light) with a 1/4" tan head. This died down shortly after pouring to a thin skin across the top and a ring at the edges. Persistent strands of lacing.

Smell: With a swirl - big hit of tasty orange citrus with a hint of fresh-cut grass, but this dies down to give nothing in the way of smell. I mean it - I literally smell nothing after the swirl. Very weird. I finally got a hint of something else (roasted malts) after I let it warm all the way too room temp, but even then it was still incredibly faint - but the orange citrus came back up with a swirl of the beer.

Taste: Burnt (with a hint of smoke) malts with roasted black coffee bitterness. Hints of that orange citrus at the end in the finish. Simple in its flavor, but just right for an English porter. In fact....I think it could switch hit for an American porter as well. Some of that citrus hop comes out more once its fully warmed up.

Mouthfeel: Quick carbonation on the tongue, and I know I'm saying this due to the strong coffee flavor, but it feels like a cup of cold coffee, even with the cling on the teeth. It's exactly what it reminds me of, minus the carbonation of course. With the taste, the mouthfeel pairs quite well.

Overall / Drinkability: Despite the singularity of coffee-like bitterness in this one, I rather like it, but then I also like my coffee black so I think that has something to do with it. I can drink this by itself, and I think it would go really well with beef or pork. Not really a sipper, and indeed, it went rather fast - but - I think it becomes better once fully warmed up and a mix of American and English porter styles comes out. Other than the lack of smell - a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2011 22:38:46 | More by damndirtyape

Retsinis

California

3.13/5  rDev -22.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

While I was on vacation visiting family in Woodbridge Virginia, I got a chance to go to a Total Wine in Springfield to pick up some local beers, or any that are distributed there that are not sent to California. Picked up one bottle of this as part of a make your own six pack.

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Bruery tulip glass.

The beer pours a rich dark brown, almost black, but some light does break through. A light brown head rose about an inch, with slight lacing that lasted throughout.

The Aroma's are of light roasted malt, light chocolate, and of watered down coffee. A bit disappointing.

The flavors are stronger, but mirror the nose. Roasted malts, light chocolate notes, a dash of hops, and coffee. Not nearly as flavorful as other porters I've had, guess I've been spoiled and didn't know it.

The mouth feel was medium to light, slightly creamy and a bit dry on the finish.

An easy drinker of a beer, low ABV, but a boring beer for it's style. It lacked any brown sugar or toffee notes, and it's flavors were pretty muted. Maybe I got an old bottle. It's not distributed in my area, so not sure when I will get a chance to try it again. For now it was fore getable.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2011 23:13:11 | More by Retsinis

sholland119

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Blind Beer BIF, Round 4. Beer #2

A-Pours a ruddy dark brown with a quickly dissipating mocha head that settles nicely into a pool.

S-Bittersweet chocolate and roasted coffee in about equal measure.

T-Quite bitter in the front with heavy roastiness. The bitterness really crowds out anything other flavors that may be lurking here and lasts all the way through.

M-Medium bodied with slightly prickly carbonation, maybe a bit thin.

D-Interesting but I would probably not seek this one out.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2011 03:17:04 | More by sholland119

cmula

Virginia

4.35/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - very small slight creamy head, dark in the glass like midnight, slight hint of red at top and bottom of glass

S - nice roasted malt scent, hint of chocolate.

T - tasted like a dark roasted malt, slight chocolate flavor

M - coats the mouth in velvet

D - very drinkable, wouldn't want to drink too many as I feel the enjoyment would be lost after a few.

Wonderful Porter, fantastic after taste.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2011 01:57:55 | More by cmula

snaotheus

Washington

4.38/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

Pours porterish -- dark, basically black, with a light beige head. Opaque with no carbonation that I can observe. Smell is sweet and woody, smokey.

Taste is not as sweet as I expected...it's a little mild, a little chocolatey, a little coffee, fairly dry (not too sweet, which is usually the biggest drawback for porters for me). It's quite tasty.

Mouthfeel is dry and a little bit grainy (not unpleasant), thick and fluffy feeling. Very drinkable porter.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2011 23:48:53 | More by snaotheus

GeoJ

Virginia

4.88/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I'm no stranger to stouts, but I must admit this is my first tasting of a porter - I'll be sure to try more of the highly rated brands after this one.

12oz. bottle, poured into a pint glass. Almost black, no light getting through, 1-finger head that quickly settled down.

Aroma is wonderful, malt and slightly burnt coffee.

First sip was a revelation - I WILL be enjoying many more porters in the future. Dark chocolate, espresso, malt, very pleasant and not overpowering bitterness that settles into a mild sweetness on the tongue. So many different tastes at the same time - complex, indeed!

Very smooth mouthfeel, just enough carbonation. Goes down extremely easy. Very nice aftertaste. I can see this being a dessert beer.

Absolutely delicious brew that brought a smile to my face and warmed my belly just right.

Exceptional!

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2010 02:50:34 | More by GeoJ

JayQue

Virginia

4.03/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the No-Frills Grill in Virginia Beach. Served in an ice cold beer mug with little head (tan colored covering of the glass) and little lacing. Great dark color with hardly any light coming through.

Smell was mild coffee and chocolate.

Taste good. Mostly coffee and milk chocolate over a nice toasted malt background.

Mouthfeel is among the best features!!! Silky smooth with no bitterness or chalky or metallic aftertaste. Plenty rich as well.

Drinkability is very good as well. Rich and smooth, good flavor and 5.00% abv. A worthy session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2010 00:03:12 | More by JayQue